Edward T. Hayes is a partner at Leake Andersson, where his practice focuses on both litigation and corporate/transactional matters. On the litigation side, Mr. Hayes represents clients in products liability, general casualty, and commercial litigation matters in state and federal courts throughout the Gulf South region. Mr. Hayes also has extensive experience handling insurance coverage matters, as well as MDL, class action and mass casualty cases.
Mr. Hayes actively works on corporate and transactional matters and leads the firm’s international trade and business practices. His practice areas include freight and logistics contracts; supply chain and third country/outsourcing arrangements; U.S. and foreign government contract procurement; customs classification and country of origin matters; import/export transactions; contracts for the sale and distribution of goods and services; and antidumping/countervailing duty proceedings. He also actively participates in international commercial dispute settlement and arbitration and was selected by the Office of the United States Trade Representative to serve on the roster of panelists eligible to adjudicate international trade disputes under Chapter 19 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement.
Mr. Hayes also maintains an active public policy and government relations practice, where he advises businesses and local governments on trade policy and economic development issues. He regularly works with the US House and Senate committees of trade jurisdiction, appropriations, commerce, and agriculture, as well as the Office of United States Trade Representative, Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection, Food and Drug Administration, and Department of Agriculture.
Mr. Hayes serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Tulane University Law School where he teaches a course on international trade policy and practice. In 2014 the country of Ukraine appointed Mr. Hayes to serve as the Honorary Consul to Ukraine for the State of Louisiana.
Personal
Eddy is married with two children and two golden retrievers. When he is not watching his daughter sail or his son play soccer, he can be found cheering Liverpool and Boca Juniors.
Community Involvement
- Honorary Consul to Ukraine for the State of Louisiana, January 2014-Current
- Mr. Hayes is charged with promoting and preserving the interests of Ukraine and her citizens throughout the State of Louisiana.
- North American Free Trade Agreement Chapter 19 (antidumping and countervailing duty)
- ALFA International, Chair of the Board of Directors, 2022-Current
- Tulane University, Adjunct Professor, 2005-Current
- American Society for International Law, Co-Chair of the Southeast Interest Group, January 2024-Current
- Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee at the Office of the US Trade Representative, Advisor
- Louisiana District Export Council of the US Department of Commerce
- Louisiana State Bar Association, Chair of International Law
- Pro Bono Project, Volunteer Attorney
- New Orleans World Trade Center, Chairman of the Board of Directors, 2015-2016
- Martindale-Hubbell – AV Preeminent
- Best Lawyers, “Best Lawyers in America
- 2024-25 | International Trade & Finance Law”
- New Orleans Magazine, “Top Lawyers”
- 2023 | International Trade & Finance
- Tulane University School of Law, Monte Lemman Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award
- 2019-2020
